Original subtitles

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. YOU WANT 100 OUNCES, LIKE, NOW?

WELL, IT'S THE MINIMUM.

Narrator: ON THIS "GOLD RUSH"...

HEY, SHUT HER DOWN!

[BLEEP]

LIKE A CHRONIC DISEASE, I CAN'T SHAKE THIS [BLEEP] GUY.

KEEP THE BUCKETS FULL, DON'T BREAK [BLEEP].

[ LOUD THUD ]

WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS THAT NOW?

HOW'S YOUR MORNING GOING? [ CHUCKLES ]

Rick: I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU GUYS DOWN.

I WILL HAVE A WASH PLANT HERE.

THAT'S A BIG TROMMEL.

HOLY [BLEEP], THAT'S A MONSTER. I GOT $100,000.

$180,000 OR NOTHING, MATE.

YOU GOT TO GET YOUR [BLEEP] TOGETHER.

♪♪

♪♪

-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

♪♪

Parker: WE'VE LOST A TON OF TIME.

WE'RE A MONTH AWAY FROM SLUICING, AT BEST,

BUT WE CAN STILL HAVE A REALLY GOOD SEASON.

Narrator: THREE WEEKS INTO THE MINING SEASON,

PARKER SCHNABEL IS STILL STRIPPING OVERBURDEN

AND NOWHERE NEAR READY TO SLUICE PAY DIRT.

EVEN WITH HOW FAR BEHIND WE ARE THIS SEASON,

I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF DOING 6,000 OUNCES.

Narrator: AT THE START OF THE SEASON,

PARKER TRIED TO MOVE HIS OPERATION

AWAY FROM TONY BEETS, TO MINE HIS OWN GROUND.

ALL RIGHT. HERE'S THE FIRST PUSH.

[BLEEP] YEAH.

Narrator: BUT AFTER TONY DENIED HIM ACCESS TO WATER...

Parker: WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME RIGHT NOW IS TO END MY MINING SEASON?

...HE WAS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN AND RETURN TO SCRIBNER CREEK.

SO NOW WE'RE BACK IN THE LAST CUT,

MINING FOR TONY BEETS AGAIN.

I DON'T LIKE THE ROYALTY RATES,

BUT I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT.

IT'S THE BEST GROUND THAT WE'VE EVER MINED.

SLUICIFER AT ONE END.

BIG RED AT THE OTHER.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO STRIP ALL THE GROUND

IN BETWEEN THE TWO PLANTS AND MAKE ONE BIG, HUGE CUT.

THERE'S NO WAY I'M LETTING TONY BEETS

FIND MORE GOLD THAN US THIS YEAR.

Narrator: AFTER WASTING 2 WEEKS AND $500,000

STRIPPING THE CLUSTER CUT, GROUND HE OWNS,

PARKER HAS NOW RETURNED 3 MILES EAST, TO THE LAST CUT,

TONY'S GROUND, WHERE HE MINED LAST YEAR.

HIS NEW SEASON PLAN --

STRIP A MASSIVE AREA OF FROZEN OVERBURDEN DOWN TO PAY

BEFORE HE CAN START SLUICING, THEN CONTINUE TO OPEN UP

THE CUTS BETWEEN SLUICIFER AND BIG RED,

EVENTUALLY CREATING A MONSTER CUT,

DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ELLIS ISLAND.

WHAT THE [BLEEP]?

♪♪

MR. BEETS.

MR. SCHNABEL.

HI, MINNIE.

100 OUNCES, YEAH.

AND HERE WE ARE.

♪♪

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. YOU WANT 100 OUNCES, LIKE, NOW?

WELL, IT'S THE MINIMUM.

BUT I'VE NEVER PAID THAT UP FRONT.

I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE SLUICING FOR A MONTH,

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, TONY.

♪♪

[ ENGINE STARTS ]

♪♪

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'LL HAPPEN

IF WE DON'T GET HIM HIS STUPID 100 OUNCES.

[ SIGHS HEAVILY ]

THIS IS LIKE SOME CHRONIC DISEASE.

I CAN'T SHAKE THIS [BLEEP] GUY.

♪♪

Narrator: PARKER HAS JUST 7 DAYS TO FIND $120,000 WORTH OF GOLD,

AND THE ONLY THAWED GROUND AVAILABLE TO HIM,

AN OLD ACCESS ROAD THAT LEADS UP TO SLUICIFER.

RIGHT NOW I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT

IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS ROAD OUT.

THIS IS THE SIDE OF THE CUT THAT WE DID LAST FALL.

NOWHERE ELSE IS EVEN CLOSE TO READY.

SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS IF WE CAN TAKE THIS ROAD OUT

BECAUSE IT WOULD BE PRETTY EASY TO TAKE

THAT STRIP OFF THAT SIDE, YOU KNOW?

AND SO IF YOU COULD TAKE THE LOADER

AND JUST DIG ME INTO THAT BANK,

I JUST WANT TO DO SOME PANNING IN THAT BANK.

Narrator: PARKER GETS TYSON LEE

TO EXPOSE SOME OF THE VIRGIN GRAVEL FOR A TEST.

Parker: YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO HAVE A COUPLE OF PRETTY GOOD PANS.

I'D HATE TO STRIP THAT WHOLE ROAD OUT

AND THERE NOT BE ANY GOLD IN THERE.

IT'D BE PRETTY HARD TO RECOVER FROM THAT.

THAT'S A BIG DUD.

THAT'S A BAD START.

OH, [BLEEP].

NOTHING IN THAT.

HONESTLY, I DON'T EVEN KNOW

WHY I'M BOTHERING PANNING THIS STUFF.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GET 100 OUNCES FOR TONY,

IT'S THE ONLY HOPE WE'VE GOT.

NEVER MIND. WE'LL DO IT ANYWAY.

HEY, WILLIE, CAN YOU BRING THAT 700 DOWN HERE

TO THIS ACCESS ROAD NEXT TO THE LAST CUT?

WE'RE GOING TO TEAR IT UP AND START MINING HERE.

YOU BETCHA.

Narrator: THE ROAD IS 656 FEET LONG AND 16 FEET WIDE.

LAST SEASON, PARKER MINED ALONGSIDE IT

AND KNOWS THAT 25 FEET DOWN SHOULD BE GOLD-RICH PAY DIRT.

WILLIE DUCHESNE BRINGS IN THE 700.

THE PRESSURE IS ON.

TONY IS ON US, SO THE DIRT HAS GOT TO START FLYING.

THE GOLD HAS GOT TO START COMING.

♪♪

[ LOUD THUD ] [ BLEEP ]

HOLY [BLEEP].

OH, MAN.

NOT GOOD.

COMING DOWN THAT SLOPE,

A PIN MUST HAVE SNAPPED, LOST MY TRACK.

WORST [BLEEP] POSSIBLE TIME.

OH, [BLEEP].

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT HELPING US GET A QUICK 100 OUNCES HERE.

♪♪

♪♪

WE GOT TO FIND SOMETHING AND FIND IT QUICK.

Narrator: NEW MINE BOSS RICK NESS

IS SETTING UP HIS MINING OPERATION FROM SCRATCH.

MY GUYS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOWN IN PAY GRAVEL IN A WEEK.

AS SOON AS THEY'VE GOT THAT EXPOSED, WE WANT TO BE RUNNING.

HE DESPERATELY NEEDS A WASH PLANT TO SLUICE HIS NEW GROUND,

SO HE AND MECHANIC CARL ROSK

ARE HITTING THE ROAD IN SEARCH OF A BARGAIN.

THIS TIME OF YEAR IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH, RIGHT...

-YEAH. -...TO GET A PLANT?

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE TO PLAY WITH HERE, MAN?

WHAT'S OUR BUDGET?

Rick: I'VE ONLY GOT $100,000 TO SPEND,

BUT WE CAN'T COMPROMISE ON WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YARDAGE.

IT'S GOT TO DO 200 YARDS AN HOUR.

IT'S STRICTLY A NUMBERS GAME FOR US.

Carl: OH, THERE'S SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.

TROMMEL?

IT SAYS, "FOR SALE." FOR SALE. [ LAUGHS ]

THERE'S A WASH PLANT THERE.

♪♪

I KIND OF LIKE THE IDEA OF A TROMMEL.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH A TROMMEL.

YEAH, BUT, MAN, THERE'S NO WAY

THIS THING COULD RUN THE YARDAGE WE NEED.

-PRETTY SMALL. -THIS IS, LIKE,

HOBBY-SIZE STUFF.

WE GOT TO FIND SOMETHING BIGGER.

LET'S HOPE THERE'S SOMETHING BETTER.

I THINK OUR BEST BET IS GOING TO BE WE FIND SOMEBODY

THAT WENT BROKE LAST YEAR, UNFORTUNATELY.

YEAH.

Narrator: THE JUNKYARDS OF DAWSON ARE WHERE FAILED MINERS

FIRE SALE THEIR USED EQUIPMENT.

OH, THERE'S SOMETHING OVER HERE.

LET'S CHECK IT OUT.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ALL THERE ANYWAY.

YEAH, BUDDY. SHAKER.

LET'S CHECK HER OUT.

♪♪

IT'S GOT A ROOF OVER IT.

-HOW YOU DOING? -NOT BAD.

AND YOURSELF? -GOOD.

IS THIS YOURS?

I'M THE ONE SELLING IT ANYWAY.

OH, RIGHT ON.

WHY ARE YOU SELLING IT?

ROUGH EXPERIENCE LAST YEAR.

I WAS LUCKY TO GET THE EQUIPMENT OUT.

WOW. [ EXHALES ] THAT'S SCARY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WHAT KIND OF YARDAGE DOES IT RUN?

IT'S DOING ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO 70,

DEPENDING WHAT YOUR DIRT IS BASICALLY.

OH, OKAY.

HOW'S SHE LOOK, CARL?

IT'S IN REALLY, REALLY GOOD SHAPE,

BUT IT'S JUST NOT BIG ENOUGH, MAN.

WELL, WE ARE HOPING TO DO

A BIT MORE YARDAGE... -YEAH.

...SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AROUND A BIT MORE.

-NO, UNDERSTANDABLE. -BUT, MAN, APPRECIATE IT.

-APPRECIATE, NO PROBLEM. -THANKS, GUYS.

-WELL, WE WISH YOU LUCK. -THANK YOU.

♪♪

YOU KNOW, TO FIND WHAT WE NEED, A HIGH-YARDAGE PLANT

FOR [BLEEP] $100,000, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING, MAN.

YEAH, I TOLD YOU IT'S GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE, BUDDY,

YOU KNOW, THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I THINK I JUST WAITED WAY TOO LATE.

[ BLEEP ]

♪♪

♪♪

WE JUST GOT TO TAKE AS MUCH AS OF THAT ROAD OUT AS WE CAN

AND HOPE THERE'S AT LEAST 100 OUNCES IN IT,

SO WE CAN GET TONY OFF OUR [BLEEP] BACKS.

Narrator: AT SCRIBNER CREEK, PARKER SCHNABEL HAS JUST 7 DAYS

TO MINE 100 OUNCES OF GOLD, AFTER HIS LANDLORD TONY BEETS

DEMANDED A SURPRISE DOWN PAYMENT ON HIS ROYALTIES,

AND HIS 700 EXCAVATOR IS DOWN.

MECHANIC MITCH BLASCHKE ARRIVES TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

NORMALLY WHEN A TRACK BREAKS, AT LEAST YOU CAN KEEP IT

UNDERNEATH IT OR SOMEWHAT TOGETHER.

HERE, EVERYTHING IS PULLED APART,

SO THIS IS ABOUT AS BAD AS YOU CAN GET IT.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST WALKING THE 700 BACK OVER THE TRACK,

TRY AND GET IT ALL LINED BACK UP.

♪♪

THIS IS LIKE OUR OAR BECAUSE WE'RE UP

[BLEEP] CREEK TODAY.

SO NOW IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING THIS TRACK

WRAPPED BACK AROUND THIS MACHINE AND PUTTING A PIN THROUGH IT.

HOW WE LOOKING, CHAD? -IT'S COMING.

♪♪

IS IT ON THE SPROCKET OR NOT?

-IT'S ON IT. -YEAH, BUDDY.

AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO THAT.

♪♪

-SHE GOING? -NOT REALLY.

FOR [BLEEP] SAKES.

IT'S JUST SO AWKWARD.

WE DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH FOR THIS [BLEEP].

I'M [BLEEP] OVER THIS.

WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND HERE?

YOUR TURN.

LAY SOME HEAT ON IT.

♪♪

THAT'S LOTS OF FIREWOOD EXPERIENCE THERE.

JUST GOT ONE TO THE EAR.

OH, IN YOUR EAR, MAN.

YOU'RE [BLEEP] LEAKING PRETTY GOOD.

YOUR BLOOD MUST BE THIN.

OH, IT WAS JUST A PIECE OF CHIP OFF THE [BLEEP] PIN.

I'M TOO GOOD A HAMMER SWINGER.

♪♪

THAT'S IT.

LET'S GO GET SOME GOLD.

-THANKS, GUYS. -YEAH.

-YOU BET. -GET THEM BACK TO WORK.

Narrator: THE TRACK IS REATTACHED.

THE 700 CAN FINALLY STRIP THE HAUL ROAD

TO GET TONY HIS 100 OUNCES OF GOLD.

WE HAVE TO MOVE THIS DIRT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE,

GET TWO HOES IN HERE BALING UP.

BACK IN BUSINESS.

Parker: IF THERE'S ONE THING I'VE LEARNED THIS SPRING,

IT'S TONY BEETS IS THE KING.

WE'VE GOT TO TRY TO KEEP HIM HAPPY.

THIS ROAD SHOULD GET US ENOUGH PAY TO DO THE 100 OUNCES OR SO.

WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT'S DOWN THERE.

♪♪

Narrator: AT QUARTZ CREEK, RICK'S BUDDIES FROM MILWAUKEE

ARE WORKING FOR A SHARE OF THE GOLD.

WE GOT TO GET DOWN TO THIS PAY DIRT, START GETTING SOME GOLD

BECAUSE I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY MONEY YET.

YOU KNOW, I GOT TO FEED MY FAMILY, TOO.

OTHERWISE I'M NOT GOING TO BE HERE TOO LONG.

RICK CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY US. I MEAN, THAT'S THE GIST OF IT.

IF HE DOESN'T MAKE MONEY, NONE OF US ARE GETTING PAID.

Narrator: ALREADY OVER $200,000 IN THE HOLE

AND WITH HIS CREW HURTING FOR MONEY,

RICK'S ONLY SOLUTION -- START SLUICING.

BUT WITHOUT A WASH PLANT, THEY CAN'T MINE AN OUNCE.

WHO'S THIS HIPPIE WITH A CANOE?

-IT'S NOT EVEN TIED OFF. -[ LAUGHS ]

-I KNOW WHO IT IS. -HI.

-OH, MY [BLEEP]. -KARLA.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS STARING AT?

YOU, AND YOU WEIRD CANOE.

THAT'S ABOUT TO FALL OFF. RICK.

-MM! -HOW ARE YOU?

MM, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MADE IT.

-I KNOW. -I'M GOOD. HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

-I'M SICK OF DRIVING. -GOOD.

BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE MY FUTURE, I GUESS.

YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOU IN A TRUCK, KEEP YOU DRIVING.

-OH, YAY. -TERRY.

TERRY, NICE TO MEET YOU.

SO THIS IS KARLA. SHE WORKED WITH US OVER AT PARKER'S.

SHE'S GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN A ROCK TRUCK,

ON TOP OF BEING THE TOUGHEST COOLEST CHICK

I KNOW, SO... -THANKS, RICK.

DON'T EVER EXPECT ME TO SAY THAT AGAIN.

[ LAUGHTER ]

I FIGURED SHE'D BE A GOOD ONE TO COME IN,

AND IF YOU GUYS CAN SUCK IT UP

AND TAKE A LITTLE DIRECTION FROM A GIRL,

SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET US MOVING.

LET'S DO IT. ALL RIGHT.

Narrator: TWO YEARS AGO, KARLA HELPED RICK

TACKLE THE ORIGINAL GOLD RUSH TRAIL,

OVER THE INFAMOUS CHILKAT PASS.

Karla: ENGAGE YOUR BUTT, RICK.

THIS IS SO [BLEEP] DANGEROUS.

PUSH HARD.

YOU JUST CAN'T LET THE WEATHER GET TO YOU.

OH, COME ON.

OW. THERE IT IS.

YES.

THE SUMMIT.

[ CHEERING ]

♪♪

WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS?

DO WE HAVE PAY PILED UP?

NO, LIKE, WE'RE A GOOD 10...

PROBABLY 10 DAYS OF STRIPPING YET, YEAH.

-[BLEEP] YIKES. -YEAH.

DO YOU HAVE A WASH PLANT?

NO.

NOT EVEN -- DON'T EVEN HAVE ONE LINED UP?

NOPE, NO, NOT AT ALL. WE'RE A LITTLE AGAINST IT.

RICK, RICK.

UM, DUDE, WE'RE A BIT [BLEEP].

YEAH, I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW,

BUT IT'S NOT GOOD, YEAH.

RICK, I KNOW YOU HAD A SUPER ROUGH WINTER,

BUT YOU GOT TO GET YOUR [BLEEP] TOGETHER PRETTY QUICK HERE.

YEAH, I KNOW.

I KNOW. I'LL FIND SOMETHING.

OKAY, GOOD LUCK.

Terry: I DIDN'T COME TO THE YUKON TO SIT AROUND

AND CHAT WITH PEOPLE AND MAKE FRIENDS.

I CAME UP HERE TO FIND GOLD AND MAKE MONEY.

I CAN GET DOWN TO PAY DIRT, BUT IT'S ALL FOR NOTHING

UNLESS WE HAVE A PLANT TO WASH IT WITH.

MAYBE RICK HAS GOT A PLAN.

I DON'T KNOW.

♪♪

STARTING THE SEASON WITHOUT A WASH PLANT LINED UP,

NOT A SMART MOVE, BUT I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME I NEEDED TO PLAN FOR THIS.

YOU KNOW, I SPENT ALL WINTER SPENDING AS MUCH TIME

AS I COULD WITH MY MOM.

YOU KNOW?

I DON'T REGRET THAT.

Narrator: RICK NURSED HIS MOM, JUDY, THROUGH BRAIN CANCER.

SHE DIED JUST WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON.

I'VE GOT RUBY NOW, WHICH IS NICE,

BUT WE GOT TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, YOU KNOW?

I TOLD MY MA THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SUCCESS

THIS YEAR, AND REALLY THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS, YOU KNOW?

WHATEVER I GOT TO DO TO MAKE THIS WORK.

THAT'S ENOUGH, YOU. [ SIGHS ]

I'VE GOT NO PAY DIRT, NO WASH PLANT.

THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

♪♪

Kevin: WHAT'S UP?

YEAH.

Narrator: TONY BEETS HAS TWO GOALS THIS SEASON --

MINE A MASSIVE 6,000 OUNCES, WORTH $7.2 MILLION...

...AND GET HIS SECOND DREDGE REBUILT AND MINING FOR GOLD.

OH, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.

AFTER RUNNING DREDGE ONE,

I REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO WORK FOR DREDGE TWO.

WELL, WE'LL MAKE IT [BLEEP] HAPPEN.

♪♪

TO HELP RUN HIS DREDGE,

KEVIN TRAINS UP 66-YEAR-OLD OPERATOR BOB SCRIBA.

-START HER UP? -YEP.

TROMMEL...ON.

CONVEYER'S RUNNING.

-YEAH. -BUCKETLINE ON.

Kevin: GET THE BUCKETLINES UP A LITTLE BIT.

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY, SO --

AND SHE'S A BIG LEARNING CURVE HERE TODAY,

LOTS OF BUTTON TO PLAY WITH ANYWAY.

Narrator: BOB MUST ADJUST THE SPEED AND THE POSITION

OF THE BUCKET LADDER

SO THAT THE BUCKETS COME UP FULL, MAXIMIZING PRODUCTION.

BUCKETLINE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.

YOU USUALLY WANT IT HIGH ENOUGH SO THAT THE BOTTOM BUCKETS

CAN SLIDE ONTO THE NEXT JUNC.

TAKE IT NICE AND SLOW.

THAT WILL PROBABLY BE GOOD.

IT ALWAYS TAKES A FEW DAYS TO GET THE FEEL OF THE MACHINE.

SO FAR WE HAVEN'T WRECKED ANYTHING.

WE'LL SEE.

Narrator: AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRAINING,

IT'S TIME FOR BOB TO RUN THE DREDGE SOLO.

I'M LEAVING THEM BE, AND NOW ALL THE PRESSURE

IS ON THEM TO KEEP THE BUCKETS FULL.

DON'T BREAK [BLEEP].

♪♪

Bob: WE SET THE BUCKETLINE DOWN ANOTHER 6,

8 INCHES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

GET IT CLOSE TO BEDROCK AGAIN.

[ LOUD THUD ] [ BLEEP ]

[BLEEP] IS THAT NOW?

[ GROWLS ]

THE BUCKETLINE IS OFF.

FRICK.

♪♪

♪♪

[ LOUD THUD ] [ BLEEPING ]

Narrator: AT EUREKA CREEK,

KEVIN'S TRAINEE DREDGE MASTER, BOB SCRIBA...

THE BUCKETLINE IS OFF. FRICK.

...HAS KNOCKED THE 72-BUCKET CHAIN OFF THE IDLER WHEEL.

MY MORNING'S GOING GREAT.

Kevin: TONY, CAN YOU MEET ME AT THE DREDGE?

WE'VE GOT A [BLEEP] UP.

IT'S ALL OVER FROST, SO IT'S [BLEEP]

GROUND TO BEGIN WITH, AND SHE BOUNCED OFF.

IT'S LIKE DRIVING OVER [BLEEP] ROCKY GROUND,

AND YOU GET A FLAT.

WELL, YOU CAN DO IT AND NOT GET A FLAT.

HOW'S YOUR MORNING GOING? [ CHUCKLES ]

♪♪

SO I GOT TO GET THE BUCKETLINE UP OVER THE IDLER SOMEHOW.

HOPEFULLY IT CAN LIFT IT.

I'LL [BLEEP] MOVE IT.

BUCKETS PROBABLY WEIGH 300 OR 400 POUNDS EACH

WITHOUT ANY GRAVEL IN THEM.

THEY'RE ALL FULL OF GRAVEL,

SO THIS IS A PRETTY HEAVY OPERATION.

I'M GOING TO DO THE HARD PART.

I'M GOING TO RUN THE RADIO.

Narrator: EVERY HOUR THE DREDGE IS DOWN,

TONY IS LOSING $1,200.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO LIFT IT UP.

ONCE I'VE GOT IT UP, BACK THE LINE BACKWARDS,

AND WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN GET IT ON.

10-4.

BOB PUTS THE BUCKETLINE INTO REVERSE.

NOW IT'S UP TO KEVIN IN THE 245 TO WRESTLE

THE 24-TON BUCKETLINE BACK ON.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

NEARLY GOT IT BEAT.

BACK UP THE LINE SOME MORE.

♪♪

JUST GOT IT ON.

PIECE OF PISS.

SHE'S FIXED.

YEP, WE'RE GOOD TO GO.

♪♪

AFTER 2 HOURS' DOWNTIME, THE DREDGE IS FINALLY BACK,

MINING FOR GOLD.

♪♪

♪♪

RICK AND MECHANIC CARL ROSK

ARE IN SEARCH OF A $100,000 WASH PLANT

THAT CAN RUN 200 YARDS AN HOUR.

Rick: IF I'M NOT RUNNING PAY DIRT BY NEXT WEEK,

I'M GOING TO BE BROKE.

NOW IS THE TIME THAT WE, LIKE, WE HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING.

THERE'S GOT TO BE A HIGH-YARDAGE WASH PLANT AROUND HERE.

WE'RE ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

YEAH.

THERE'S ANOTHER. SHOULD WE JUST GO LOOK AT THAT ONE?

-LET'S CHECK IT OUT. -YEAH.

Carl: I DON'T SEE FOR SALE SIGNS, BUT IT'S WORTH A TRY.

LOOKS NICE ANYWAYS, ONE OF THE NICER-LOOKING ONES WE'VE SEEN.

-HOW'S IT GOING THERE? -HOW YOU DOING, BUDDY?

-HOW YOU DOING? WILL. -CARL. NICE TO MEET YOU.

-CARL, NICE TO MEET YOU. -RICK.

-RICK, HOW YOU GOING, MAN? -GOOD.

KIWI MINER, WILL PILKINGTON, HAS A PLANT FOR SALE.

-THIS IS OUR LATEST PROJECT. -WOW.

Rick: YEAH. THAT'S A BIG TROMMEL.

HOLY [BLEEP].

YEAH, IT'LL DO ABOUT 200 YARDS AN HOUR.

OH, REALLY? 200 YARDS AN HOUR?

IT'S BUILT SOLID.

IT'S BUILT BEAUTIFULLY, SO... -OH, MAN, THAT IS...

... IT'S ABOUT 2 INCH THICK ON THE BARREL AT EACH END.

-WOW. -SO IT'LL LAST.

WE HAVEN'T QUITE FINISHED IT YET,

BUT WE ARE WORKING HARD ON IT.

-IT'S HUGE. -I DON'T KNOW.

DO YOU WANT TO CLIMB UP INSIDE? WE CAN POKE UP INSIDE THERE.

-YEAH, THAT'D BE COOL. -IF YOU WANT TO JUMP UP,

UP IN HERE.

Narrator: WILL'S HUGE 20-TON TROMMEL IS 42 FEET LONG

AND 8 FEET IN DIAMETER,

ALMOST TWICE THE SIZE OF TONY'S DREDGE TWO TROMMEL.

Rick: I'VE NEVER WALKED DOWN THE BARREL OF A TROMMEL BEFORE.

-THAT IS COOL, MAN. -THIS THING IS HUGE.

I CAN START IT UP, IF YOU WANT.

-YEAH. -LET'S CHECK IT OUT, BUDDY.

YEAH, I WANT TO SEE THIS THING MOVE.

IT'S A MONSTER.

Carl: IT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, RIGHT?

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

TROMMELS WASH GOLD FROM THE PAY DIRT USING A ROTATING CYLINDER.

AS THE PAY DIRT TRAVELS THROUGH THE DRUM, WATER JETS

WASH THE GOLD OFF THE ROCKS, THROUGH THE TUBULAR SCREEN

AND INTO THE SLUICES, WHERE IT COLLECTS IN THE RIFFLES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

YEAH, MAN.

♪♪

SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT FOR PRICE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

ALL FINISHED, SAID AND DONE,

IT'D BE AROUND $180,000.

[ GROANS ]

UH, YEAH, THAT'S MORE THAN I HAVE TO SPEND.

I'VE GOT $100,000.

NO [BLEEP] WAY, MATE.

JUST THE MATERIAL ALONE IS $100,000 ON THAT THING.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME, YOU KNOW?

YEAH, I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT RIGHT NOW

BECAUSE $100,000 IS WHAT I'VE GOT.

$180,000 OR NOTHING, MATE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES.

AND I DON'T HAVE IT.

[ GROANS ] BACK TO THE OLD DRAWING BOARD.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, MAN.

YEAH, NO WORRIES, MAN.

Rick: THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF RIGHT NOW IS THAT PARKER

NEVER GAVE ME MY BONUS LAST YEAR, MY GOLD BONUS.

WHAT'S THAT WORTH?

WELL, GOING BY PREVIOUS SEASONS AND HOW MUCH WE DID LAST YEAR,

PROBABLY $100,000.

-THAT'S PERFECT, MAN. -YEAH.

I GUESS I'LL SEE IF I CAN SQUEEZE IT OUT OF HIM.

[ BLEEP ]

AH, THERE YOU GO. WE'VE GOT ANOTHER DREAMER.

YOU SEE THEM COME AND GO ALL THE TIME.

IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY, YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE COMPLETELY AT THE MERCY OF TONY,

SO, YOU KNOW.

Narrator: PARKER IS UNDER THE GUN, AFTER LANDLORD TONY

DEMANDED A 100-OUNCE DOWN PAYMENT ON HIS ROYALTIES

BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

SO THIS IS MOST OF THE PAY THAT'S COME OUT OF THIS ROAD

THAT WE TOOK OFF THIS SIDE HERE.

I MEAN, IT'S A PRETTY GOOD PAY MOUNTAIN,

BUT WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH GOLD IS IN IT?

AND GIVEN THE TIME WE'VE GOT,

THERE'S REALLY NO MARGIN OF ERROR.

Narrator: THE CREW HAS A STOCK PILE OF 12,000 YARDS OF PAY DIRT

AND JUST 2 DAYS LEFT TO SLUICE IT.

Parker: WE'VE GOT, WHAT, 48 HOURS TO GET TONY HIS 100 OUNCES?

BETTER HOPE IT GOES 2 OUNCES AN HOUR AT LEAST.

LET'S GIVE HER.

LET HER BUCK, T.

LET'S SEE IF THIS OLD GIRL REMEMBERS HOW TO SHAKE.

THERE WE GO.

HERE SHE COMES!

♪♪

SO THIS IS THE FIRST DIRT OF THE SEASON.

THIS YEAR IS JUST ABOUT SURVIVAL, YOU KNOW.

WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT IN A PENNY YET,

AND THIS IS ALL GOING TO TONY.

-SHUT HER DOWN! -OUR CONVEYOR IS ALL LOADED UP.

FOR [BLEEP] SAKE.

OUR [BLEEP] TAILINGS CONVEYOR IS SPINNING OUT.

SO OVER WINTER, WE LOOSEN UP OUR CONVEYOR BELTS.

WE TIGHTENED IT BACK UP, BUT NOT ENOUGH.

GOT THE WEIGHT OF THE ROCK ON THERE, IT STARTED SPINNING OUT.

WE MADE IT ALL OF ONE BUCKET.

IT'S LIKE OUR FIRST SEASON SLUICING.

Narrator: AFTER SLUICIFER WASHES THE GOLD OFF THE ROCKS,

THEY'RE REMOVED BY THE TAILINGS CONVEYOR.

IT'S DRIVEN BY A HEAD DRUM,

BUT BECAUSE THE TAIL DRUM WAS SLACKENED OFF DURING THE WINTER,

THE BELT IS NOW SLIPPING,

CAUSING THE TAILINGS TO BACK UP TOWARDS THE SHAKER.

THE CREW NOW NEEDS TO EXTEND THE TAIL DRUM

TO RE-TENSION THE BELT.

A COUPLE TURNS OF THE WRENCH HERE,

WE'LL HAVE IT BACK UP AND GOING.

HERE WE GO.

HEY, LET'S FIRE THIS THING BACK UP.

BYPASS IS OPEN.

LET'S GET SOME WATER GOING TO IT...

-YEAH, WE GOT... -...SEE IF SHE'LL FIRE.

Narrator: THE CREW BLASTS THE TAILINGS WITH WATER,

AND THE ROCK JAM CLEARS.

-GOOD JOB, GUYS. -YEAH! YEAH, BUDDY.

LET'S MAKE SOME MONEY.

Parker: NOW WE JUST GOT TO HOPE THERE'S SOME GOLD IN THIS [BLEEP].

WE'LL FIND EVERY LITTLE FLAKE OF GOLD

THAT'S IN THAT ROAD, AND HOPEFULLY IT'S ENOUGH.

IF IT'S NOT, THEN WE'LL GO RAID GRANDPA'S SAFE,

MAYBE THERE'S STILL SOME IN THERE.

♪♪

♪♪

WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I FOUND A WASH PLANT.

THE BAD NEWS IS IT'S WAY OVER BUDGET.

Narrator: NEW MINE BOSS RICK NESS

HAS FOUND THE WASH PLANT OF HIS DREAMS,

BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CASH TO BUY IT.

I'M SHORT BY $80,000, SO I'M PRETTY [BLEEP] THERE.

BUT I DO HAVE A PLAN.

I MEAN, PARKER NEVER GAVE ME MY BONUS FROM LAST YEAR.

I JUST CALLED HIM UP.

IF HE DOES GIVE IT TO ME,

AND IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT AS LAST YEAR,

THEN I'LL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

WE'RE IN BUSINESS.

HIS GREENHORN CREW HAVE CLEARED 10 FEET OF WORTHLESS

OVERBURDEN FROM THE CUT

AND ARE ONLY A FEW FEET FROM PAY DIRT.

I'M ACTUALLY LEARNING AND FINDING OUT

THE INDICATORS OF PAY DIRT.

YOU KIND OF FEEL IT IN THE JOYSTICKS.

I THINK THIS IS IT.

I CAN FEEL A BIG DIFFERENCE AS I DRAG THE BUCKET THROUGH THERE.

HEY, RICK. YOU GOT A COPY?

Rick: YEP.

I THINK I JUST DISCOVERED SOME PAY.

COME ON DOWN.

YEAH.

♪♪

WHAT YOU GOT GOING ON, BUDDY?

WELL, I THINK I GOT US DOWN TO PAY DIRT.

YEAH, MAN. THAT'S THE STUFF.

IT'S A BIT OF A COLOR CHANGE, THAT DARKER MATERIAL,

THIS BIGGER ROCK, LIKE THIS.

YEP. ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU WERE GOING TO GET US A WASH PLANT.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

WELL, I DO HAVE A PLAN,

AND I THINK I CAN ACTUALLY GET IT SORTED OUT TODAY.

-TODAY? -[BLEEP] RIGHT.

IT'S PRETTY CRUCIAL THAT WE START GETTING THINGS

HAPPENING PRETTY QUICK TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT GOLD.

SO IF WE DON'T GET A WASH PLANT ASAP, WE ARE [BLEEP].

THESE GUYS DROPPED SO MUCH TO COME HERE FOR,

LIKE, SUCH A GAMBLE,

THE LURE OF GOLD.

-HEY, BOSS. HOW'S IT GOING? -GOOD. HOW YOU DOING?

-GOOD. GOOD TO SEE YOU. -YEAH.

THERE'S A NICE POND.

I KNOW, RIGHT?

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN BUSY.

SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY

AND THEN PRAYING THAT A BUNCH COMES BACK.

YEP, ALL FOR A HOLE IN THE GROUND.

THE ONE THING THAT I'M TRYING TO DO

IS I'M TRYING TO START OFF WITH A DECENT-SIZED PLANT.

RIGHT? AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE YOU COME IN, MAN.

I NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT BONUS.

THE THING IS, YOU KNOW,

IT'S LESS THAN YOU MADE THE YEAR BEFORE,

AND THAT'S A FUNCTION OF JUST I'M SPREAD SO

[BLEEP] THIN RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, THE MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO DOZERS,

AND THEN WE PUT $1 MILLION INTO THAT.

WE LEGIT PUT $1 MILLION INTO OUR SPRING STRIPPING,

WHICH WE'RE NOT SLUICING ANY OF THAT.

SO I'VE HAD TO DO THAT TWICE NOW, THIS SPRING.

I WAS KIND OF HOPING IT WOULDN'T BE LESS

THAN WHAT I'D MADE THE YEAR BEFORE.

I WAS HOPING FOR ABOUT 80,000.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS A BONUS. RIGHT?

I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY HARD FEELINGS ABOUT IT.

OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T HELP THAT, IF THERE IS, BUT...

-YEAH. -BUT I BROUGHT YOU A CHECK.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

I'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

THANK YOU, SIR. -THANK YOU.

I'LL JUST NEED AN INVOICE.

COME ON.

IT'S NOT QUITE WHAT I EXPECTED.

BUT I WAS HOPING FOR $80,000 AND...

I GOT ABOUT $52,000, SO...

HE COULD HAVE JUST WALKED AWAY AND GAVE ME NOTHING,

SO I'LL TAKE IT.

IT KEEPS ME GOING.

♪♪

Narrator: RICK HEADS BACK DOWN TO TOWN FOR ONE LAST ROLL OF THE DICE.

WELL, I DID THE BEST I CAN.

I DON'T HAVE $180,000, AND THAT'S WHAT WILL WANTS.

BUT I GOT $150,000.

ALL I CAN DO IS GO AND TALK TO HIM,

TRY AND REASON WITH HIM.

AND IF I CAN'T MAKE THIS WORK, I'M [BLEEP].

I'LL SELL MY GOLD RING IF I HAVE TO.

♪♪

HOWS IT GOING OUT THERE? EH, IT'S GOING. YEAH, YEAH.

SO HAVE YOU BROUGHT THE $180,000?

I HAVE ROUNDED UP SOME MORE MONEY.

I DID THE ABSOLUTE BEST I COULD, MAN.

-WELL, THAT'S GOOD. -I'VE GOT --

$150,000 IS WHAT I'VE GOT.

THAT'S STILL NOT GOING TO CUT IT, MATE.

$180,000 IS MY BOTTOM LINE ON IT. $180,000, THANKS.

YEAH, I KNOW.

BUT, MAN, YOU GOT TO [BLEEP] HELP ME OUT HERE.

IF I GET THIS ON-SITE AND GET IT RUNNING, IN 2 WEEKS,

I COULD HAVE THAT $30,000 HERE FOR YOU IN GOLD.

THAT'S $30,000, MAN, THAT I'M OUT OF PROFIT.

-YEAH. -THAT'S...

I KNOW IT'S A [BLEEP] GAMBLE FOR YOU.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, MAN. -YEAH, IT IS.

YEAH. HAVE YOU GOT A CUT

AND EVERYTHING OPENED UP, READY TO GO?

YEAH, MAN. WE'VE GOT A BIG CUT OPEN.

LIKE, WE JUST GOT TO GET IT THERE AND GET IT RUNNING.

MM.

$30,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WELL, I DO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE SLUICING.

SO TELL YOU WHAT, IF I DON'T GET THAT $30,000 IN 2 WEEKS,

I KNOW WHERE TO COME AND GRAB THIS,

AND I'LL TAKE IT STRAIGHT BACK HERE.

UNDERSTOOD, MAN.

SO WE CAN DO THAT?

I SUPPOSE THIS TIME, YEAH.

WE CAN DO THAT, AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

-[BLEEP], MAN. -YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, MAN.

WHOO, RUBES!

RUBY, WE GOT A WASH PLANT.

♪♪

WHOO!

I GOT EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED -- A WASH PLANT

THAT CAN RUN 200-PLUS YARDS AN HOUR.

HERE WE ARE, MAN. IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER.

WHEW.

NOW IT'S TIME TO GET SOME GOLD.

♪♪

JUST IN CASE ANYBODY DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT, I'M THE OLDER GUY.

HE'S THE SON. [ LAUGHTER ]

Narrator: DREDGE DOUBLE ACT BOB AND MIKE SCRIBA...

IT'S NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER UP HERE,

ESPECIALLY WITH DAD.

I'M STILL LOOKING AFTER HIM OUT HERE.

I HAD TO RESCUE HIS RADIO THIS MORNING.

IT'S $400 IF IT FALLS OVERBOARD.

HE WAS A MESSY KID.

IT'S FUNNY, YOU KNOW?

AFTER THE KIDS LEFT HOME, THE TOOLS STILL WENT MISSING.

SO I ALWAYS ACCUSED THEM OF LOSING THE TOOLS,

BUT SOMEHOW THEY WENT MISSING EVEN WHEN THEY WEREN'T HOME.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT. I THINK IT WAS THE DOG.

LITTLE DO THEY KNOW, WE STILL COME INTO THE GARAGE

THERE AND GRAB TOOLS. [ LAUGHTER ]

WELL, IT'S NICE WORKING WITH DAD.

IT'S NICE TO SEE HIM WORK

A PIECE OF ANCIENT HISTORY, REALLY GOOD WORKING TOGETHER.

I'M REALLY PROUD OF HIM AND THE WORK THAT HE DOES.

WHERE HE LEARNED IT ALL FROM, I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE IT'S FROM ME BECAUSE I FORGOT IT ALL.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE,

SO HE'S OBVIOUSLY PICKED IT UP A GOOD DEAL.

HERE YOU GO!

[ LAUGHTER ]

♪♪

BOB HAD HIS FIRST RUN-IN WITH THE DREDGE.

IT'S LEARNING CURVES.

EVERYBODY SEEMS TO LOSE A BUCKET EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

THERE'S ONLY ONE IDIOT WHO CAN PUT THAT LINE BACK ON, AND, HI.

HI.

Narrator: AT EUREKA CREEK, IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH GOLD

TONY'S DREDGE HAS MINED THIS WEEK.

10, 15, 20, 25...

TO HIT HIS 6,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL,

TONY NEEDS TO FIND 260 OUNCES OF GOLD EVERY WEEK.

90, 95, 97.1.

WORTH $117,000,

160 OUNCES LESS THAN HIS WEEKLY TARGET.

WELL, YOU FALLING A LITTLE SHORT FOR 5 DAYS.

97 OUNCES, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT

UNDER AN OUNCE AN HOUR.

THINGS [BLEEP] UP. [BLEEP] HAPPENS, RIGHT?

LIKE, YOU'RE STILL GETTING GOLD.

Narrator: A MONTH INTO THE SEASON,

TONY HAS MINED $560,000 WORTH OF GOLD.

BUT HE'S ALREADY FALLING BEHIND HIS AMBITIOUS TARGET.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, HOW COME EVERYBODY IS STILL SITTING HERE?

-SEE YOU LATER, GUYS. -ALL RIGHT.

YOU PROMISED ME ANOTHER 100 OUNCES.

DOESN'T PARKER OWE YOU SOME?

♪♪

THREE MILES EAST, PARKER SCHNABEL

WEIGHS UP HIS GOLD TO SEE

IF HE CAN AFFORD THE DOWN PAYMENT TO HIS LANDLORD.

HOPEFULLY IT'S 100 OUNCES.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO REALLY COME UP SHORT ON THIS.

I DON'T KNOW, PARKER. IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE.

HEY, TONY.

HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?

YEAH.

COME TO COLLECT?

Narrator: TO PAY HIS MINIMUM ROYALTY,

PARKER NEEDS TO FIND AT LEAST

100 OUNCES IN HIS FIRST GOLD WEIGH OF THE SEASON.

WELL, TONY, YOU SURE PUT US IN A MAD PANIC

TO FIND SOME THAWED GROUND.

YEAH, WE MANAGED TO PULL OUR OLD ROAD OUT NEXT

TO THE CUT FROM LAST YEAR, AND THAT'S WHAT WE CAME UP WITH.

IT HASN'T BEEN THE EASIEST SPRING.

RIGHT.

YEAH, LET'S SEE WHAT THIS IS.

♪♪

40.

HALFWAY THERE.

-OH, YEAH. -THERE WE GO.

THERE'S 100. [ CHUCKLES ]

109.

Narrator: WORTH $130,000.

SO I GUESS I GET THE SHORT END OF THIS STICK.

THERE'S YOUR 100 OUNCES.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, YOU GOT YOUR 100 OUNCES.

HOPEFULLY YOU'LL LEAVE US ALONE FOR A LITTLE WHILE?

NINE OUNCES OF THAT IS PRETTY BAD.

YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THIS?

WELL, I MEAN, WE WERE ABLE TO PAY HIM.

I'M NOT [BLEEP] HAPPY. HE'S A [BLEEP].

BUT, ANYWAYS, HE'S OUT OF OUR HAIR.

OKAY.

WE CAN MOVE ON WITH OUR 9 [BLEEP] OUNCES OF GOLD.

[ LAUGHS ]

I CHRISTEN THEE DURT REYNOLDS.

Narrator: ON THE NEXT "GOLD RUSH"...

HIT THE BYPASS!

I EXPECTED GROWING PAINS, BUT THIS IS [BLEEP] OUTRAGEOUS.

EVERYTHING'S COMPLETELY FROZEN.

WE'RE OUT OF PAY. WE HAD TO SHUT SLUICIFER DOWN.

IT'S MAKING ME WANT TO SHOOT SOMEBODY IN THE HEAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

SO THAT DOUBLES OUR CHANCES ON GETTING THE DREDGE OUT OF THERE.

TIGHT, GENTLEMEN, THE ROPE, TIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. LOOKING GOOD. BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.